ST. LOUIS — For the first time since 1992, the women's championship game was not a sellout. Likely, it had nothing to do with the perceived mismatch.

Scalpers waved reams of tickets outside the Scottrade Center on Tuesday night, about an hour before Connecticut completed an unbeaten season by beating Louisville 76-54 for the title. Announced attendance was 18,478, about 2,000 shy of capacity.

"Cheaper here than at the window!" one seller yelled, promising he'd easily beat the official $81 price.

There were plenty of empty seats in the upper bowl for the semifinals, too. The NCAA's take: It's a sign of the country's hard times.

Sue Donohoe, the NCAA's vice president for Division I women's basketball, said attendance of more than 20,000 — not far off capacity — was expected as UConn shot for the fifth unbeaten season in women's history.

"Certainly, to break that streak is sad," Donohoe said. "But we're understanding of the economy and people need to do what they're going to do."

The 2001 event was held in St. Louis and is part of the sellout streak. There was competition for the entertainment dollar on the night of the final, with the Cardinals playing the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second game of the season at nearby Busch Stadium.